Cupola for freight-cars



(Ro Model.) I 2 Shets-Shet 1'.

U. A. SMITH.

GUPOLA FOB. FREIGHT CARS.

" No. 372.937-.- Patented Nov.8, 1887.

Witnessas (No Model.) I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2'. G. A. SMITH;

GUPOLA FOR FREIGHT CARS. No. 372,937. 4 Patent gd Nov. 8, 1887.

Inventor.-

NY PETERS. Plnumlilhogmphen Washiuglcn, ac.

CHARLES ADDISON SMITH, on TOLEDO, 01110..

CUPOLA FOR FREIGHT-CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 372,937, dated November 8, 1887.

Application filed March 12, 1887. Seral No. 230,718. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES ADDISON SMITH, acitizen of the United States, residing at Toledo, in the county of Lucas and State ofOhio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Supplemental and Removable Cupolas for Freight-Oars; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to a supplemental and removable cupola for freight-cars, and has for its object to provide a device that when at- I whose duty it is to watch the train from its tached properly in place shall be an effective shield from the inclemency of the weather, and into which the lookout or train-man,

forward end, may be stationed.

In the management of railroad-trains, espe cially freight-trains, safety demands that in addition to the regular lookout in the cupola of the caboose atthe rear end of the train there be an additional lookout at or near the forward part of the train. In fact, so imperative is this demand that there are statutory enactments requiring a brakeman to be stationed near the front end of the train. In seasons of severe cold weather, with the mercury at zero and below and the train running at from fifteen to thirty miles per hour, it is beyond human endurance to occupy this position, and, if attempted, renders the occupant incapable of performing his duties, being benumbed with the cold. This necessitates seeking a more comfortable and safe position, and obliges the lookout to resort to the cab of the engine, which, from its distance from his post of duty and the delay occasioned by his beingobliged to pass over the tender and climb onto the car, consumes too much time when wanted in cases of emergency.

The object of my invention is to overcome these difficulties by providing asupplemental cupola or shield from the weather, and to render it possible for the brakeman or lookout to comply with the requirements of the law and perform his duties without personal discomfort or danger of being rendered incapable completely folded. Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are views of a modified form of construction, Fig. 6 being an elevation of the cupola when ready for occupancy. Fig. 7 is an elevation showing one half of the cupolain position and the corresponding half in the act of being unfolded and placed in position. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the cupola when ready for occupancy. Fig. 9 is a plan view of the cupola when folded. Fig. 10 represents the cupola folded and placed horizontallyupon the base-board, ready to be detached from the car.

I will proceed to describe the construction shown in Sheet 1, in which like letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the views. To the base-board G are attached four sides, two of which sides, A, are triangular in shape, the base resting upon the baseboard O. The two front sides, A, are rectangular in shape, and the four sides are hinged to the base-board C in a manner to permit of their being folded, as shown in Fig. 5. These sides are constructed of iron, wood, or canvas properly stretched upon a rigid frame. The sides A are hinged at i at a point corresponding to the width of the base-board O, to permit of the upper part being folded back upon itself, so that when folded it shall not exceed the width of the base-board O. The front sides, A, are provided with doors 13, each having a window, F, the doors being properly hinged to the sides A by hinges A. The sides A are also provided with spring catches H, whereby when the sides A are in position the sides B are raised and fastened securely in place by the spring-catches H.

If desired, the cupola may be truncated at a short distance from its apex, thus reducing the height without effecting the amount of room within, as shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 3.

E designates the top of the car; D, the walloing-board. G are ordinary bench-clamps, the use of which will presently appear.

In Sheet 2 I have represented in Figs. 6 to 10, inclusive, a modified form of construction of eupola, it being immaterial which form of construction is used for the purposes of my invention. In this construction the sides A and B are formed of two semi-cylindrical parts, the whole forming a cylindrical eupola when in position for occupancy. To the base-board O is hinged at K the part A, so that it is ca pable of being folded in a horizontal position upon the base-board O, as shown in Fig. 10. Upon either side of the part A are formed slots H, extending from near the base to a pointnear the top. Upon the part B, near one end, is formed studs that freely play within the slots H, thus permitting the two semicircular sides A B to be folded, the concave side of side B lying within the convex side of side A, so that when released from the walking board I the eupola can be readily transported to any desired place.

F represents the doors, provided with windows L. The doors are properly hinged to the sides A B, respectively. (See dotted lines, Fig. 3.)

The eupola is to be of a height sufficient to accommodate a person when in a sitting position, the windows being arranged so as to permit of observation along the entire train, and is intended to be folded when not in use and carried in the caboose as a part of the equipment of the train.

\Vhen it is desired to place the eupola in position for use, the base-board G is placed upon the walking-board of the car and securely fastened by means of clamps G- and the sides raised in a vertical position. As shown in Fig. I, the sides A are first raised, the sides B are then raised, and, the spring-hooks H snapping past the sides A, the device is ready for use.

As shown in the modified form of construction, the semi-cylindrical side Ais first brought to a vertical position, facing the engine with its concave side, so that the hinges K will act as a fastening and stay against the pressure of the atmosphere when running, and the opposite side, B, raised, as shown in the dotted and full lines, Fig. 7, until it forms a true cylinder. The top D (see Fig. 6) is then placed upon the upper end, its flange holding the eupola securely together.

XVhen it is desired to pass from one car to another, the doors B are opened, allowing a person to pass through when in a stooping position or posture.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In combination with acar, a supplemental folding eupola inclosed on all four sides, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In combination with a car, asupplemental detachable eupola inclosed on all sides, doors hinged to the sides, and means for attaching the eupola to the car, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In combination with acar, asupplemental detachable folding eupola composed of rigid sides inclosing the same, and means for holding said eupola in position, as and for thepurpose set forth.

4. In combination with a car, a supplemental eupola provided with a base board, sides hinged to the base-board and provided with doors hinged to the sides, windows in the doors, and means for holding the base-board to the car, substantially as set forth.

5. The base-board O, in combination with a eupola formed with semi-cylindrical portions A and B, pivotally united, the cover D, the doors F, windows L, and means for attaching the base-board to a car, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I hereby affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES ADDISON SMITH.

\Vitnesscs:

J. E. RAYMER, WILLIAM WnBs'rnu. 

